In The Age Of Trump, Peaceful Revolt Is Our Only Option

At an anti-Trump protest at the University of Wisconsin, a Native American activist in a feather headpiece holds a “Power To The People” banner. January 1, 2014. (Flickr / Joe Brusky)

Editor’s Note: This is the final edition of Kevin Patrick Kelly’s “Towards A Millennial Revolution.” MyMPN, the MintPress News reader blog, will cease publication at the end of this week.

For those who are not already aware, this will be my last column for MyMPN. The Mint Press News reader blog will be closing down as the website prepares to restructure their resources.

Still, I wanted to use this final column to offer some advice for all activists and to announce my future plans.

I know that there is a great sense of despair and dread as we prepare to watch Donald Trump’s inauguration in nine days. The fear is heightened for those who are African American, Latino, a member of the LGBT community, etc. That is why it’s important to not only donate to organizations that support those who will be targeted by a Trump administration, but also to have viable social movements that challenge all forms of political and corporate power.

Felomina Cervantes, of Seattle, holds a sign that reads “Shame on You America” as she takes part in a protest against President-elect Donald Trump, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016, in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

I do not know if those same activists will appear in our nation’s capital to demonstrate. If the incoming administration is filled with self-professed liberals and progressives, they might stay home and that would be a grave mistake. As we saw after Barack Obama’s ascension to the presidency, the antiwar movement became apologists for the Democratic Party. That cannot be allowed to happen during Trump’s presidency, and it cannot be allowed to happen after he leaves office and is replaced by another administration.

As millennials, we need to vigilantly watch those in power and push them to enact an agenda that can assist our generation.

Now, what happens to me? I have long flirted with the idea of starting an alternative media program. Eventually, I hope to launch a fundraising campaign in order to purchase the necessary equipment to make the program a success. For now, I plan to host a once a week show that will air through Facebook Live. Go to my Facebook page if you are interested in viewing it when it officially launches.

At a November 13, 2016 protest against President-elect Donald Trump in New York City, young activists hold a sign reading, “We are immigrants here to stay.” (Flickr / Karla Ann Cote)

Does this mean that I will abandon writing? No. While my writing will currently not be published on a weekly/consistent basis, I still plan on trying to get my columns and interviews posted elsewhere.

Finally, I want to personally thank Kit O’Connell for editing and publishing all of my columns on MyMPN. In my years of writing, I have had to interact with various editors. Kit is not only a phenomenal editor, he is an amazing journalist. In Texas, he uses his journalist prowess to hold local and state power accountable. I highly encourage you to read his array of work at his website. While you are on the his site, you may want to consider donating to support his journalism.

Regardless of our political leanings, we all agree that 2016 was one of the worst years on record. That is why I hope that 2017 will be a far better year.

Still, hoping is not enough. We need to organize and mobilize if we want to control our generation’s destiny. There is a possibility that we may fail. Still, even if we fail, we can at least be able to say that we tried.

Thank you to all who read and shared my work, and I wish you all the best in the coming years. We are going to need it …

END NOTES: As I stated above, there are various organizations that will need your support during a Trump administration. This is an excellent website to help navigate the numerous advocacy groups and nonprofits that will need financial assistance: http://www.donatebigly.com/

Content posted to MyMPN open blogs is the opinion of the author alone, and should not be attributed to MintPress
News.

About The Author

Kevin Patrick Kelly

Kevin Patrick Kelly has been described as a millennial intellectual, activist, and columnist. He has written regular columns for The Washington Times Communities Section, Oliver Stone’s Untold History website, and Mint Press News.